Seeing your dog in pain can be nerve-wracking. It's even worse when it bleeds because of your actions.
Fortunately, we offer insight into how to stop nail bleeding in your dog. You just need to apply the right measures.
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A bleeding nail is a painful experience for your pet. It’s sad to see a loved one in pain, but don’t panic. It’s easy to stop bleeding on a dog nail with the right techniques. This article examines the causes of a bleeding nail and how to stop a dog’s nail from bleeding.
It can be unsettling when you notice your dog limping or walking while leaving a trail of bloody prints behind. Nail injuries can occur frequently in canines and for various reasons.
Although some might cause pain, most cases are comparatively benign and treatment can occur fast and effectively. Some of the causes of dog bleeding from nail include:
Your dog’s nails consist primarily of keratin, and like human nails, they grow constantly. Although the nails wear down from walking daily, it doesn’t cause pain and can keep them comparatively short.
If your dog runs on a rough pavement patch, its nail could get caught and result in the dog bleeding toenail.
The hanging section that remains can be extremely painful and might need a vet visit.
If your pet’s claws weren’t eliminated as a puppy, one of them could get caught, causing injury and tearing through sudden movements.
Ensure you trim your dog’s nails to prevent any clicking on the floor when he walks. This maintenance permits your dog to use his claws for traction when necessary but keeps the nails out of harm’s way.
If you’ve spotted blood on your pet’s nails after a normal walk, he might have a vitamin deficiency and not an injury. If your dog isn’t obtaining the necessary nutrients from the daily food intake, the keratin in his nails could become brittle and weak.
Your vet should be in a position to diagnose any deficiencies and offer a treatment plan to help your dog improve.
Like humans, dogs bite their nails as well. Numerous factors can trigger chewing or biting, so it’s necessary to observe your pet or take him for a vet checkup.
A common cause of chewing or biting is pain from overgrown nails.
As your dog’s nails grow, they tend to curl under and if left untrimmed, they could place painful paw pressure when your pet walks.
Your dog might chew down the nails but might leave rough edges, which might catch on the rug, or excess chewing might draw blood. Tufts of compacted hair can at times develop between the paw pads or nails in dogs, resulting in discomfort or pain over time.
Consequently, the condition prompts a dog to chew at his nails, at times causing bleeding, while attempting to pull out the fur from between the claws.
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed and cutting excess fur from the paw pads or between the nails can prevent this kind of chewing.
Other sources of nail chewing include anxiety, boredom, or allergies. You should collaborate with your vet to rule out these sources and determine the appropriate treatment to help your dog’s paws feel better.
The longer the Dog Nail, The LONGER the quick will become
Your dog’s nails comprise the hyponychium or ‘quick’, which is the innermost part of the cuticle. The quick consists of blood vessels, nerves, and bleeds easily if cut.
If your dog’s nails are light-colored, you can see the quick, which appears like a darker core in a dog’s nail. This makes it easier for you to determine how far nail trimming should go.
On the other hand, darker nails make it impossible or harder to tell where the quick begins, and even expert groomers can at times trim too far, causing dog nail bleeding for hours.
At times, groomers use a grinder instead of a clipper for nail trimming to see whether they’re cutting into the quick before any bleeding takes place.
If you delay in trimming your dog’s nails, the quick will equally elongate, making it virtually impossible to cut your pet’s nails without bleeding taking place.
If you hit the quick, you’ll notice your dog jumping or wincing in pain. They’ll also attempt to lick the injured nail. The incident could elicit a fear reaction, making your pet more reluctant to have his nails trimmed in the future.
Regular nail trimming keeps the nails healthy and maintains a short quick while making the trimming experience less traumatic for your dog – just remember to be careful and try using a professional’s help if you feel unconfident.
Whether your dog’s nail is bleeding because of what you’ve done or a different cause, you must remain calm to stop dog nail bleeding and prevent your dog from becoming anxious while receiving treatment for his injury.
Keep in mind that your dog might struggle to escape, so you might want to enlist some help.
If dog nails won’t stop bleeding, consider these approaches:
This is one of the most popular approaches to controlling nail bleeding after hitting the quick. The powder comprises an ingredient-ferric subsulfate, which acts like an antihemorrhagic agent and stops bleeding in seconds.
It works by contracting the blood vessels and clots the blood flow thereby stopping nail bleeding within some minutes.
The powder also contains a small amount of Benzocaine, which functions as a topical anesthetic to alleviate pain.
If you lack any styptic products and your pet’s nail keeps bleeding, some home remedies can function nearly as well as a styptic powder to stop the bleeding. You’ll want to use substances with absorbent qualities. They should also be edible and safe if your pet licks his paws.
You can use bar soap to stop blood flow and quicken blood coagulation in case the wound is minor.
Don’t use this method if your dog’s injury is severe. Try to use unscented soap only because you might trigger a reaction if you use perfumed or scented soap.
You’ll need to moisten the soap bar and scrape off some of the soap with a knife or your nail once it’s softened. After applying it to your dog’s nail, wrap the nail before applying pressure.
If you can’t seem to stop dog nail bleeding, you can wrap the wound to help with blood clotting. This will maintain nail pressure and prevent your dog from licking his wound or walking on it, which will only stimulate increased blood flow.
Start wrapping above your dog’s wrist or ankle to prevent it from falling off or being loose.
If your pet is vulnerable to licking or nipping at his wounds, you might want to tap the wrap for additional support.
A clean tube sock will equally function as a fast and handy wrap. You’ll simply slip the sock over your dog’s paw until it’s snug with the bleeding nail and tape the sock’s tube to the ankle.
Alternatively, you could use a dog boot, which offers a similar function. Just make sure the bandage isn’t so tight that it cuts off your pup’s circulation.
Pour some cornstarch into your palm and dip your pet’s nail in it.
If you notice the bleeding hasn’t stopped, dip the nail again and compress it with a towel or cloth for a couple of minutes until the bleeding stops.
Alternatively, you could use a cotton applicator for cornstarch application onto the nail. Don’t wipe your dog’s nails between applications; the cornstarch will help in coagulation.
You’ll finish the process by compressing gently with a cloth or towel until the nail stops bleeding.
Most nail injuries tend to be minor and bleeding will stop within 20 minutes with home remedies. However, if you notice the nail is still bleeding after 20 minutes, it’s time you contact the vet.
In some instances, vet care is necessary.
A deep cut or a nail that’s ripped and still attached might require the removal of stitches.
Other sources of nail and paw injuries include a torn or broken nail; an embedded foreign object in between a dog’s nails; or your pet might have cut its footpad on a sharp item.
For a superficial wound, it should be possible to stop the bleeding within 5-10 minutes.
You’ll need to apply pressure first and elevate your puppy’s paw if possible before trying a substance like styptic powder to help with blood clotting.
If the bleeding takes longer after applying pressure for 10-20 minutes, you should contact your vet for treatment.
If you discover your dog is bleeding after a walk, his nails might be brittle.
Try walking your pet on the soft ground rather than on roads and sidewalks. Also, discuss possible nutritional deficiencies that could be the source of nail bleeding and brittle nails on your next vet visit.
Vets can test for deficiencies and explore any gastrointestinal problems that might be the source of poor nutrient absorption.
If your dog has a deficiency, your vet can suggest supplements or particular high-quality foods.
Yes.
Flour can work to absorb the blood and stop the bleeding. You’ll simply cover the dog’s nail with it and compress it with a cloth or towel until you stop the bleeding.
In most instances, this might cause pain, but you could stop the bleeding if you address the issue immediately.
You’ll just wrap your dog’s paw before the pressure application takes place.
Afterward, use a substance that can absorb the blood and accelerate coagulation. Whichever powder you use, make sure it’s safe. After the bleeding stops, the nail will heal without causing further problems.
This will result in pain and discomfort, so the dog would need to heal first before you can walk them.
Give them a few days to rest, and observe how active they are before taking them for a walk.
Bleeding nails can be a very stressful moment for both a dog and an owner,
With the quick tips we’ve shared with you above, you should be able to handle the situation fairly well – and keep your dog well-cared for. Just remember to stock up on some simple medical supplies, and don’t hesitate to call the vet when it’s necessary!
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
